Vol. 119 No. 2 (2025)
Research Papers

Enhancement of Compost Quality and Nutrient Retention Through Co-composting with Bamboo-derived Biochar

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  • Pavithira Rishitharan,
  • Somasundaram Sutharsan,
  • Thayamini H. Seran
Pavithira Rishitharan
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka
Somasundaram Sutharsan
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka
Thayamini H. Seran
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-18624

Published 2025-12-30

Keywords

  • Bamboo biochar,
  • Co-composting,
  • Nutrient retention,
  • Physico-chemical properties,
  • Soil amendment

How to Cite

Rishitharan, P., Sutharsan, S., & Seran, T. H. (2025). Enhancement of Compost Quality and Nutrient Retention Through Co-composting with Bamboo-derived Biochar. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 119(2), 199–218. https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-18624

Copyright (c) 2025 Pavithira Rishitharan, Somasundaram Sutharsan, Thayamini H. Seran

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

This research evaluates the efficacy of bamboo-derived biochar (BB) as a pivotal amendment for optimizing compost quality and nutrient retention. The study utilized BB produced via a Kon-Tiki kiln, a method selected to preserve the feedstock's biogenic integrity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed that the resulting biochar possesses a highly developed micro and mesoporous network, a structural attribute critical for augmenting water retention, cation exchange capacity, and microbial habitat stability. When integrated into the composting matrix, the Bamboo Biochar enriched Compost (BBC) demonstrated superior physicochemical balance, characterized by a near-neutral pH (7.14) and an electrical conductivity of 3.79 dS/m. Crucially, the co-composting process yielded a robust nutrient profile that significantly exceeds typical values for conventional compost, with elevated concentrations of Nitrogen (1.09%), Phosphate (0.79%), and Potassium (1.18%), alongside secondary nutrients such as Calcium (4.31%) and Magnesium (1.27%). The analysis also highlighted substantial micronutrient retention, including Zinc (379.73 mg/kg), Manganese (543.17 mg/kg), Iron (1.73%), and Copper (55.6 mg/kg). While raw BB serves as a stable carbon sink (86.7% organic carbon), the BBC formulation achieved a functional equilibrium with a moderate organic carbon content (28.6%) and an optimized C:N ratio of 26.2, thereby fostering efficient microbial activity and compost maturity. Ultimately, these findings confirm that the synergy between the porous structure of bamboo biochar and the nutrient density of compost fosters a circular waste valorization approach, delivering a sustainable, high-quality soil amendment

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